Long term deal now, or Deng says he signs the qualifying offer this year and then tests the market next summer. :mad:

If he doesn't get the long term deal now, look for Deng to have an outstanding season considering he'll be playing for a big contract next year and will want to play to increase his stock.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yahoo Sports

Deng is determined to come to terms on a long-term contract, but he has set an Aug. 4 deadline to reach an agreement. Once Deng, 23, leaves the country for the European Championship qualifying tournament, he will a sign a one-year qualifying offer for $4.5 million and become an unrestricted free agent in 2009.

The message to the Bulls promises to be implicit: Unless the two sides come to terms soon, Deng will never again negotiate with them. He will not let the uncertainty over his future hang over another basketball season, and unless a sign-and-trade is worked out, Deng will play out his final season in 2008-09 and sign elsewhere next summer.